text:
People throughout the world could soon be voluntarily outfitting their homes with indefinitely active cameras, infrared sensors and microphones if they purchase Microsoft's new Xbox video game console, slated for release sometime next year.
According to leaked screen captures, the new console, codenamed "Durango," will be "Always On, Always Connected," meaning it will require a perpetual Internet connection, in addition to a new high-fidelity Kinect Sensor, "which will be required for the system to operate," representing a huge win for Big Brother in infiltrating homes across the across the world under the guise of trendiness.
Being touted as a measure to ensure "software and games are always current," the new Xbox will not allow users to play games unless a permanent Internet connection is established, according to leaked screenshots obtained by the website Vgleaks.
"Durango will implement different power states so that it can always be powered on, but will draw minimal electricity when not in use," the grainy, leaked screenshot states, adding, "The console will be ready instantly when users want to play, and will always maintain a network connection so that software and games are always current. With this 'Always On, Always Connected' design, users will quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the console to restart or install updates."
"Durango would require a permanent internet connection," writes Vgleaks. [emphasis theirs] "Yes, if you want to play a single adventure, you would have to be online. Whatever you will play, you must be online. Take the time machine and come back 3 years ago to erase the responsible person." [emphasis ours]
Likewise, the new system reportedly will not "operate" unless "a new high-fidelity Kinect Sensor" is attached, which will reportedly be sold with the console, granting the new Xbox eerie Big Brother-like powers.
As the current Xbox 360 Kinect device is already equipped with motion sensors, infrared sensors (enabling it to map out environments – like your room – and detect different faces), a multi-array microphone (capable of distinguishing different voices) and a 640×480 pixel VGA camera (enabling it to see as we do), we can expect the next Kinect's technology to be exponentially more intricate and dangerous.
These additional nuances might be argued as expected and even necessary in the Internet age we live in, where everything from dishwashers to refrigerators are connected, but Microsoft also recently applied for patents that could take information obtained to a frighteningly new Orwellian level.
The website Beta Beat reported last year that "Back in 2011, Microsoft applied for a patent that would allow cameras and sensors, much like the ones embedded in the Kinect, to track how many people are in a room. Developed by Microsoft's 'incubation team,' which is where they test new approaches to hardware, the patent was recently made public. They're calling the invention a 'consumer detector' and it's just as frightening as it sounds."
Beta Beat goes on, "Once it has identified how many people are there–and even who is there–the device will charge for content accordingly. If you pay for one content license but then more viewers join the room, it could halt playback and request that you pay for a different license. That means if you plan to have a movie marathon sleepover, Microsoft would like to charge you extra copyright money for the pleasure of snuggling and watching horror movies."
In response to a Wall Street Journal article titled, "Is Your Videogame Machine Watching You?" Microsoft issued a statement regarding privacy and Xbox: "Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE do not use any information captured by Kinect for advertising targeting purposes. Microsoft has a strong track record of implementing some of the best privacy protection measures in the industry. We place great importance on the privacy of our customers' information and the safety of their experiences."
While Microsoft's response attempts to quell our concerns about privacy, it does not address the fact that Microsoft can, and most likely will, be spying on its customers, regardless of whether or not they are selling consumer information to advertisers.
It was also revealed, in March 2012, that a company called Obscure Technologies was working alongside the U.S. Navy to develop "computer forensic tools capable of hacking such consoles."
"Such tools are expected to be made for the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate — and there's no particular mention of what Homeland Security might want with them," reported Live Science last year.
We also saw Xbox cozy up to the U.S. government this past election cycle when Xbox allowed users to stream a presidential debate through their consoles, and then later polled users with questions regarding the debate.
"I think Bill Gates is about to kill his gaming platform," states C.J.Oden, producer for the Alex Jones Show and a former-avid gamer. "It's cyber espionage of everyone in America gullible enough to buy a system."
Wikipedia claims, "The Kinect claimed the Guinness World Record of being the 'fastest selling consumer electronics device' after selling a total of 8 million units in its first 60 days."
Indeed, if previous sales are any indicator, the new Xbox and its high-fidelity Kinect device, with powers disturbingly similar to "telescreens" out of George Orwell's novel 1984, will soon be infiltrating millions of homes across the globe with little to no resistance.


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Andre Ethier has signed a endorsement deal with New Balance.
New Balance is a footwear manufacturer based in Boston. Ethier joins Dustin Pedroia, C.J. Wilson, Hanley Ramirez, Nelson Cruz, Jose Bautista and Nick Swisher to the New Balance team.
I don't know if Ethier continues his relationship with Easton Sports. I'm assuming no.
Here's Ethier going through a photo shoot with New Balance in Arizona.
Pix {linked here}
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Andre Ethier gets New Balance endorsement deal
4 comments:
- Kmann said...
He's still wearing Easton batting gloves.
- November 30, 2011 at 9:09 PM
- Roberto Baly said...
From this pix? Looks like New Balance to me....
- November 30, 2011 at 9:15 PM
- "Authentic Signings!" said...
I have to go with Roberto on this. Pic is clearly showing NB brand.
- December 1, 2011 at 12:04 AM
- cknerr said...
No, those are Easton gloves, I have the same pair that Matt Kemp gave me. Not to mention, New Balance does not make batting gloves currently.
- December 1, 2011 at 8:36 AM
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Clerk Orr announcesTIF data will be on tax bills, new TIF video
Orr urges city to declare TIF surplus
Cook County Clerk David Orr on Thursday released the 2012 TIF revenue report, which shows $723 million was collected in the 435 active tax increment financing (TIF) districts in Chicago and suburban Cook County.
Chicago will collect $457 million in TIF revenue for the 2012 tax year. Chicago's 2012 TIF revenue represents an increase of $3.3 million or 0.74 percent over 2011. The slight growth follows two years of TIF revenue declines – an 11 percent drop in 2011 and a 2 percent dip in 2010. Since 1986, $5.5 billion has been collected from Chicago TIFs.
"The city is making some headway by cancelling nine TIF districts, not adding any to the books, and posting more TIF information online," Orr said. "But there is a lot of room for improvement in accountability and equity, especially when so many taxpayer dollars are diverted into the Loop."
For example, Orr would like to see a comprehensive report on all Chicago TIFs that clearly demonstrates how much of the $5.5 billion has been spent, how much is earmarked, and how much is unencumbered. The report could break down the distribution of dollars by project type: schools, parks, libraries, infrastructure, streetscape, commercial, etc.
Orr also urges Mayor Emanuel and the City Council to declare a TIF surplus – sooner rather than later – so Chicago Public Schools can get a much-needed funding infusion.
"How do we explain to school kids that gym, music and art classes are cancelled while profitable businesses are tapping into the city's tax base?" Orr said. "TIFs may have helped make downtown Chicago beautiful, but not enough is being done with TIF funds in the neighborhoods where they are needed most."
Chicago has returned $182 million in TIF surplus to Chicago Public Schools in the last five years, including $10.5 million last year. Orr said the city should be able to return more TIF money this summer to help plug CPS's budget hole.
Two years ago, Emanuel's TIF Reform Panel made recommendations to improve the city's use of TIFs, including matrices for determining surpluses, benchmarking performance, and periodic reviews to determine if a TIF should be continued or revised. Orr said he is hopeful the city is moving toward these goals.
To view data on each TIF district, see these PDF sections of the TIF Report: Countywide summary, Chicago summary, Suburban summary, Tax Increment Agency Report.
Previous TIF reports, the TIF property search tool, and TIF maps can be found at cookcountyclerk.com.
NEW! TIF info on tax bills, informational video
With the release of the TIF report, Orr also announced plans to put TIF data on property tax bills beginning with the 2013 second installment bill, which will be mailed summer 2014. Orr also released a new video, "Understanding TIFs."
"As a longtime advocate for making TIF information more transparent, I am pleased to offer more tools for understanding TIFs," Orr said. "Property tax bills will display how much of an individual tax bill is going into a TIF fund. And our new video is a primer that not only explains TIFs, but raises questions about how TIFs are managed and used."
The TIF video (found at the bottom of this release) calls attention to the following common criticisms of TIFs:
· "Blighted" applied too loosely
· Parallel or secret budgets
· Is there a better use of TIF money?
· Lack of transparency
· Not enough oversight
· Porting
· Should downtown reap most of the benefits?
· Should multi-million dollar corporations be eligible for TIF funds?
· How is "success" gauged?
Orr's website, cookcountyclerk.com, already provides reports, maps and a TIF property search tool that allows taxpayers to see if they are in a TIF and the portion of their bill that was diverted to that TIF fund.
Key Chicago highlights from Orr's report:
· Since 1986, $5.5 billion has been collected from all Chicago TIFs.
· Nine Chicago TIFs were cancelled in 2012 (see Chart A).
· No new Chicago TIFs were added.
· The largest Chicago TIFs in 2012 by revenue are: Near South ($65.3 million); LaSalle Central ($20 million); Canal/Congress ($19.6 million); Chicago/Kingsbury ($18.9 million); Kinzie Conservation ($18.5 million).
· 48 TIFs had revenue increases. The 83rd/Stewart TIF revenue jumped 153%, from $402,768 in 2011 to just more than $1 million in 2012.
· 26 TIFs – including nine that were terminated – did not collect any revenue.
· 89 TIFs saw revenue decline. The steepest decline was the Harrison/Central TIF, which will collect 93 percent less in 2012 than the year before.
Suburban Cook County
In recent years, the number of TIF districts in suburban Cook County has steadily grown. There are now 281 suburban TIFs in 93 municipalities. That means there is at least one TIF in 69 percent of suburban villages and cities.
"The need for greater transparency and accountability is just as vital in the suburbs as it is in the city," Orr said.
Suburban TIF revenue in 2012 decreased by 3 percent, from $275 million in 2011 to $266 million in 2012. Six suburban municipalities collected more than $10 million in total TIF revenue in 2012: Rosemont ($32.2 million), Glenview ($27.9 million), Hoffman Estates ($26 million), Cicero ($11.5 million), Oak Park ($10.2 million), Palatine ($10.1 million).
Other suburban Cook County TIF highlights:
· The largest suburban TIFs are: Glenview-Naval Air Station ($27.9 million); Hoffman Estates-Sears ($25.2 million); Rosemont-1 ($16.8 million); Rosemont-River Road ($12 million); and Cicero-1 ($10.6 million).
· 85 TIFs had revenue increases. The East Hazel Crest-Tollway TIF experienced the greatest spike, from $3,575 in 2011 to $124,678 in 2012. Other notable increases include Markham-Dixie Highway (up 71% to $2.7 million) and South Holland-Interstate 80 (up 66% to $1.2 million).
· 127 TIFs had revenue declines.
· 76 TIFs did not collect any revenue in 2012.
· Six new TIFs were created in East Dundee, Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Morton Grove, Oak Forest and Palatine (see Chart B).
- Eight TIFs were expanded to include new parcels while five TIFs were cancelled or had parcels removed (see Chart B).
New/Terminated Chicago TIFs for 2012 Tax Year
New TIFs – City of Chicago
*No New TIFs in the City of Chicago for 2012 tax year 0 parcels
Terminated TIFs – City of Chicago for 2012 tax year
TIF City of Chicago – 72nd St/Cicero 5 parcels
TIF City of Chicago – 73rd/Kedzie 7 parcels
TIF City of Chicago – Division/Hooker 3 parcels
TIF City of Chicago – Division/North Branch 1 parcel
TIF City of Chicago – Eastman/North Branch 10 parcels
TIF City of Chicago – Homan/Grand Trunk 4 parcels
TIF City of Chicago – Howard/Paulina 152 parcels
TIF City of Chicago – Lakeside/Clarendon 20 parcels
TIF City of Chicago – West Grand 2 parcels
Total PINs removed from City of Chicago TIFs for 2012 tax year 204 parcels
New/Terminated Suburban TIFs for 2012 Tax Year
New TIFs – Suburban
TIF Village of East Dundee 2 parcels
TIF City of Evanston – Dempster/Dodge 1 parcel
TIF Village Hoffman Estates – Higgins/Hassell 10 parcels
TIF Village of Morton Grove – Dempster/Waukegan 55 parcels
TIF City of Oak Forest – 4 5 parcels
TIF Village of Palatine – Rand/Lake Cook 51 parcels
Attach to existing TIF City of Blue Island – 5 115 parcels
Attach to existing TIF Village of Lansing – Bernice Rd 39 parcels
Attach to existing TIF City of Markham – (aka Canterbury) 1 parcel
Attach to existing TIF City of Northlake – Wolf Rd SW Comm 1 parcel
Attach to existing TIF Village of Oak Lawn – Triangle 9 parcels
Attach to existing TIF Village of Oak Lawn – 111th/Cicero 1 parcel
Attach to existing TIF Village of Rosemont – South River Rd 1 parcel
Attach to existing TIF Village of Summit – 63rd/Archer 6 parcels
Total PINs added to Suburban TIFs for 2012 tax year 297 parcels
Terminated TIFs – Suburban
TIF Village of Hazelcrest 10 parcels
TIF Village of Midlothian – 147th/Cicero 26 parcels
TIF Village of Richton Park – Crossings 140 parcels
TIF City of Rolling Meadows 3 parcels
TIF Village of Sauk Village – Sauk Plaza 2 parcels
Total PINs removed from Sububan TIFs for 2012 tax year 181 parcels


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Remarks by Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General
Paris, 5th December 2011
Ambassadors, Governor Duarte, Assistant Secretary Fernandez, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to launch this first edition of the OECD's Regional Outlook. As you know, the unfolding debt crisis in the euro area, the persisting jobs crisis and the rising levels of inequality are slashing global economic moral. However, against this bleak scenario, the growth potential of regions should reinvigorate us with a welcome dose of optimism.
Why regions? Well firstly because they are important centres of gravity in a country's economy. Their comparative advantages, endowments and overall dynamism can be powerful sources of growth and prosperity nation-wide.
Throughout the current crisis, some regions have been critical "emergency engines" for their national economies. In Europe, for example, regions like Baden-Württemberg in Germany or South Netherlands have resisted the crisis through powerful local innovation systems and high connectivity to global markets. But there are also industrial regions, like the Basque Country in Spain or the Marche region in Italy, that have shown remarkable resilience; outperforming their national averages.
And of course, regions are essential policy arenas to countries with multi-level governance systems. National policies are influenced by -- and need to respond to -- regional needs and aspirations.
So let me give you a taster of our Regional Outlook's findings.
Regional policies for stronger, fairer, sustainable growth
This first edition argues that regional policies can help us achieve stronger growth towards a fairer and more environmentally sustainable economy. This is absolutely essential at a time when the global economy is mired with slow growth, high unemployment, political paralysis and social duress.
Until recently, regional policy was about helping laggards to catch up with their more prosperous neighbours. But today, modern regional policy is about growth and competitiveness. And it applies to all regions, not only those that may be left behind.
Addressing the functioning of local and regional economic systems, the links between them and the governance mechanisms that shape those relations, can make a big difference to a region's – and ultimately, to a country's – growth performance.
Yes, location matters. Whether resources are natural, human or intangible, they are located in a specific geographic space. That is why we at the OECD promote a place-based approach to economic policy.
Sub-national governments account for around two-thirds of total public investment
One of the most pressing challenges today is the need to "do better with less". Most OECD countries face the challenge of trying to restore and sustain growth while pursuing fiscal consolidation, and these heavy budgetary constraints are weighing down on regions' room for manoeuvre.
Public investment is a powerful lever to stimulate growth and sub-national governments account on average for around two-thirds of total public investment across the OECD. In this environment, it is more important than ever to make efficient and effective use of scarce budgetary resources.
Yet, as the Outlook shows, OECD countries often lack the appropriate tools, instruments and multi-level governance arrangements needed to make the best use of their resources. Innovative governance is essential for better design and implementation of public investment policies. The Outlook therefore discusses principles for the governance of public investments that align the objectives of central, regional and local governments.
Indeed, when governments need to tighten their belts, investments are often the first candidates for spending cuts. Sub-national governments' tax revenues have fallen, while consolidation efforts in central governments have led to a drastic reduction in transfers.
At the same time, demand for social support and social services has been rising. Consequently, deficits have increased and sub-national governments' debt in many countries is now well above 100-150% their annual revenues.
The Outlook highlights an important reason to take this problem seriously: in some countries, concerns about the indebtedness of sub-national governments are putting additional market pressure on national governments.
Financial markets have started to differentiate among regions, cities and local governments within countries, in much the same way as they assess creditworthiness among countries within a broader governance system, such as the EU. National fiscal consolidation plans and financial stability therefore require credible involvement of sub-national governments.
A regionally differentiated policy approach for employment
An additional area of focus for regions is, of course, jobs. In a number of OECD countries, half or more of the job losses due to the crisis and the ensuing recession have been concentrated in just one region, not necessarily a metropolitan area. Before the crisis, in some regions of Spain people were six times more likely to be jobless than in others. In the Slovak Republic, Italy and Belgium, long-term unemployment in the worst-affected regions is four times the national average. Even countries that have managed to maintain employment rates at or above pre-crisis levels would benefit greatly from employment growth in their hardest-hit regions.
Labour market policies cannot be "space-blind". They need to take into account the territorial specificities of the labour market. Active labour market policies, such as to improve job matching and training, and efforts to disseminate information about the labour market, are likely to be better designed at regional or local level, rather than at the national level.
And national policies should at least allow considerable scope for place-specific adjustments. This is particularly important for countries where labour mobility has been severely constrained by factors such as house-price collapses and high levels of negative equity.
Tackling climate change needs to take account of the role of regions and cities
Let me just finish with a few words on the role of regions and urban policies in addressing the challenge of climate change. Over half of the world's population now lives in cities. Urban areas account for an estimated 67% of global energy use and 71% of global energy-related CO2 emissions.
At the same time, better environmental policies may be good for urban development, as they enhance the attractiveness of cities. Because green growth is about synergies between environmental and economic policies, an urban policy package -- covering areas ranging from innovation to migration and to rural development -- has greater potential for delivering green growth than an economy-wide, space-blind, approach.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The critical point is that the analysis presented in the Regional Outlook stresses the limits of one-size-fits-all economy-wide policies for generating sustainable, inclusive growth. A more regionally differentiated approach offers a better way of tackling the growth, employment and environmental challenges we face in the difficult years ahead.
The 2011 Regional Outlook is an important milestone. It underscores the importance of regional policies as key elements of a well-balanced structural policy package. We are confident that this Outlook will be the first of many. In the current difficult economic environment we should not neglect the growth potential, dynamism and resilience of the many regions that make up our national economies.
Thank you!
Related Documents


text:
In Her Own Words: Living With Menopause
Jackie is a 51-year-old woman working in landscape design and home repairs. She recently separated from her husband of 32 years, and has two young adult daughters who live on the other side of the country.
What was your first sign that something was wrong? What symptoms did you experience, and how did you cope at that time?
My first symptom was night sweats at age 47. I thought the problem might be the beginning of ]]>menopause]]> , so I read the book, The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change , by Christine Northrup. From the book I learned the importance of diet during menopause and started going to a nutritionist. The nutritionist helped me find out that I had food sensitivities, and I made some changes like switching from regular milk and cheese to soymilk and soy cheese. I'd always had a sensitive stomach, so this helped my overall health. However, I still had the night sweats, and over the next couple of years I started having other symptoms of menopause.
When did you get a diagnosis?
When I was 49 I went to the gynecologist because of vaginal dryness. That was when I got an official diagnosis that I was going through menopause. The diagnosis came from a blood test. At first the doctor wanted to put me on hormones, but I refused because of the history of ]]>breast cancer]]> in my family. The doctor's only other suggestion was to make some diet changes, which I was already doing.
What happened after you got the diagnosis? How did you try to manage your symptoms?
At 50 my periods started to get irregular and vary a lot from light to heavy. I also started having day sweats. I couldn't sleep well and sometimes could only get three or four hours of sleep a night. This made me tired and cranky.
After about six months of these problems, I went to the health food store and asked for help finding something that might decrease them. I tried a couple of different formulas that did not help. But then last summer I had success with a formula that has the herb black cohosh in it. The version of the formula I take in the morning also has ginseng and black tea in it, and the version I take in the evening has valerian and hops along with the black cohosh. Soon I started to be able to sleep six hours straight and stopped having night sweats. In addition, the day sweats decreased somewhat. I've noticed that when I forget to take the formula, my symptoms get worse again.
Did you seek any type of emotional support?
I started going to a counselor and personal growth workshops to get help reducing the stress in my life. Some of the workshops focused on women's issues. These things have not only helped a lot in reducing stress but have also helped me gain more self-confidence. I now know more of what I want in my life and am making it happen.
Has going through menopause had any impact on your work?
Yes. Since my work involves a lot of physical activity, the sweating during the day got very intense. The sweat stung my eyes and made me feel itchy all over. It was very distracting. I'm really glad the black cohosh formula has decreased the sweating. On the more positive side, having increased self-confidence has enabled me to start my own business.
Has going through menopause had any impact on your family?
Yes. Because I wasn't able to sleep much at night, I set up a room of my own so that I could do things while my husband slept. This made him angry because he didn't like the idea of my having a separate room. However, we dealt with the issue as I gained more self-confidence from my personal growth work.
Since my daughters have not lived at home while I have been going through menopause, they have not been affected much by my symptoms. However, since I've been telling them about the changes I've been making in my diet and about my experiments with herbal remedies, they have been learning some things that have helped them too.
What was your initial and then longer-term reaction to finding out you were going through menopause?
At first I was scared that I might have to go through what my mother and older sister went through, which was having a ]]>hysterectomy]]> due to very heavy bleeding and ]]>anemia]]> . So, I started doing things to try to avoid that. That's why I read Christine Northrup's book when I got my first symptoms and then went to the nutritionist. And that's why when my problem with stress got even worse from the menopause symptoms, I started going to a counselor and workshops.
As a result of doing these things, my overall health and quality of life has improved a lot. I have taken action on things that had previously been problems for me but which I had heretofore not been motivated to deal with. So, now I feel that going through menopause has been a blessing. I eat much better than I used to, I've lost 30 lbs., my blood pressure has gone from high to below normal, my stress level is much lower, and I'm much happier. Looking back, I believe that my menopause symptoms, as well as my life overall, would have been worse if I had not done these things.
What advice would you give to anyone entering menopause?
There are many different things you can try to deal with your symptoms. Read a lot to find the information you need, and then choose what works for you. But most important, develop yourself, become all that you are, and walk into your wisdom and aging with pride.
National Women's Health Information Center
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.


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LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 13, 2013) Dr. Gregory Bix, Paul G. Blazer J. Professor of Stroke Research in the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and the UK departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology and Neurology, has received funding of $224,416 from the National Institutes of Health, to further study of stroke recovery.
Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide. Existing FDA-approved pharmaceutical therapies for stroke rely upon administration within a very tight timeframe, and engender other risks. Dr. Bix is working to investigate how the brain's own neuroprotective abilities may be employed to activate post-stroke repair mechanisms in the brain itself.
"This research grant provides the financial support for us to explore promising new approaches to cure stroke through unlocking the brain's regenerative potential. Successful completion of this basic research will bring us that much closer to hopefully successful human clinical trials for stroke sufferers, something that has otherwise been an elusive goal" said Bix.
The new funding from the NIH will enable Bix and his team to investigate the effects of a newly identified stroke treatment on brain tissue regeneration, to investigate factors influencing generation and survival of post-stroke generated neurons, and to investigate novel mechanisms in neuritogenesis and neurite extension. The ultimate aim of this work is to develop a novel stroke therapy for humans.
|Contact: Allison Elliott
University of Kentucky


text:
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52053 Glow In The Dark Pot Of Dreams. Verse on back of pot reads 'This money pot is for hopes and schemes to help and save for all your dreams.'
Drop your first coin in and make a wish! Keep saving until the pot is full.
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text:
Why did you choose Lewis & Clark College?
May 12, 2014
Lewis & Clark is a private college with a public conscience and global reach. Here you'll work with some of the world's most fascinating people and learn more about yourself in the process. In this video, students describe what they were looking for in a college and how they decided to enroll at Lewis & Clark.


text:
Here are two photos taken a few hours ago in Columbia, Missouri at a Ron Paul rally. The first was taken by the Ron Paul campaign and published at [ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.110909742372286.12356.100003597825713&type=1#!/ronpaul ]. The second was taken by photographer Grant Hindsley and published in today's daily Columbia, Missouri newspaper, The Missourian, at [ http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2012/03/15/photo-gallery-ron-paul-speaks-mu/ ]. –SB
Here is a rather passionate report from Allvoices.com, outside of the mainstream media, from yesterday, regarding that day's Ron Paul rally in Champaign, Illinois: –SB
[ http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11713777/content/89128605-ron-paul-s-supporters ]:
Ron Paul: Crowd of 5,000 in Illinois, but he's not winning?
Champaign : IL : USA | Mar 14, 2012 at 11:53 PM PDT
Thousands show up to see Ron Paul, so much so, a new venue had to be chosen to fit all those who wanted a ticket.
"President Paul" chants broke out as usual Wednesday evening in Illinois by thousands of supporters who showed up for a chance to be in the same room with the rock star GOP candidate, but something very unusual happened — hundreds didn't have to wait outside.
You see, usually when the Texas congressman arrives in town, most venues are just too small to hold the unexpected crowds that clamor to hear the wisdom of the Father of Liberty. So, often hundreds end up staying outside waiting until he leaves in hopes for a chance to wave at him on his way out.
But this time, the venue was big enough. Are his crowds getting smaller? Au contraire! This crowd was so big that a few days before he was to come to town, organizers realized they weren't going to have enough seats in the original place picked out, so they moved it to a location that would accommodate the massive group of unified freedom fighters.
I do not understand why thousands of people keep showing up for the Paul rallies — yet he is not winning the race for the Republican nomination? Could it be from messy caucuses? Could it be voter fraud? Do other candidates get this kind of reception? Something does not add up here…
Check out the more than 5,000 people who showed up to see Paul at the University of Illinois on Wednesday evening in the video above. Is the "establishment" in control of the mainstream media? Is that why most people don't hear about the crowds that come to see Ron Paul? What is going on in this country? Surely these caucuses or "beauty contests" can't mean anything if they are not being handled correctly, can they?
Just this past week, Ron Paul won his first caucus in the Virgin Islands, but the mainstream media said Romney won. In Maine, many votes were turned in, but never counted, or they reported totally different numbers, according to Ben Swann of Cincinnati's Reality Check [ http://www.fox19.com/story/16956297/reality-check-maine-gop-releasing-corrected-caucus-numbers-why-there-may-be-a-new-winner-saturday ].
In Washington state, hundreds were turned away in Kennewick because there "wasn't enough room" in the Hotel for all the folks that showed up, so they weren't allowed to vote! But, in the article, Thousands welcome Ron Paul in Washington state, you'll read that hundreds had to wait outside due to overcrowding.
Depending on the week, media outlets will tout the three other candidates: You'll hear, "Romney is winning!" Or, "Santorum just won several states and upset Romney!" And even sometimes, "Newt will do very well here, these are his kind of voters!" But wait! Stop!
Ron Paul regularly has many lower- to middle-class individuals giving to his campaign. He rakes in millions. He tops Google Trends and social media interest in him grows month after month. But he gets very little coverage compared to the other three GOP candidates. It doesn't even make sense. Even a child could do the math — it's called subtraction!
Does America even care if it is a fair race? Is anyone going to step up and say, "Something is wrong here?" Is anyone going to question why the mainstream media ignores, avoids and discredits Ron Paul while venue after venue is packed with his supporters at each stop he makes? I don't get it…
Stephanie Ealy is based in Tacoma,Washington, United States of America, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.


text:
Adnan Oktar's conversations with guests
Kıbrıs Ada TV: July 2008
Adnan Oktar: For instance, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia have a very clear approach towards Turkey, lately. And Israel says that, you were able to manage the whole place with ten soldiers and one captain, and we cannot do it with all these soldiers. And they are missing the Ottoman era. Syria explicitly voices its desire to join with Turkey. If you offered it to them today, it would have been done in a week. Iraq is suffering you know. However if Turkey comes up and acts like a big brother, then it would all be okay in Iraq. Everyone sees this. The delegations from Palestine keep offering this, it's what they want. NOW IT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE REGION THAT TURKEY STARTS TO ACT IN THIS ROLE AS A BIG BROTHER.
Ekin TV: January 29th, 2009
Adnan Oktar: Turkey has great Ottoman experience, a great experience of ruling continents. This is a widely known fact. We also have very qualified people. We have great politicians, great leaders. Turkey is easily capable of doing this. Egypt wants this too, even Israel. They said it the other day. They say, 'You used to manage the region with ten soldiers and a captain only and everything was okay. We cannot do it with a whole army and we are suffering, and causing a sort of uneasiness around us as well.' SO THERE IS A NEED FOR THE SONS OF THE OTTOMANS, THE BRAVE MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH NATION.
Azerbaijan State News Agency, August 14th, 2008
Adnan Oktar: Frankly, Turkey is the greatest state in the world. I am not exaggerating this actually; it is really the greatest one. Let me put it in this way; Turkey will join the European Union after taking the lead of great Turkish İslamic Union. It will feed and strengthen Europe. This position will also enable Russia to become strong. This will also allow Armenia and Israel to feel relieved and cause the Palestinian problem to come to an end. SO TURKEY IS THE ONLY STATE THAT WILL RESCUE THE WHOLE WORLD. IT ACTS LIKE AN INSURANCE OF THE WORLD. Sure enough Turkey ıs significant and in 10 to 20 years the whole world will start to see this. Turkey will enable every state in the world to become brothers and sisters.
This is the law of Allah, Insha'Allah and this is fate, Insha'Allah.
YeniAsya, March 16th, 2012
MuhammedNazik El Qafarna, the Mayor of BeytHanun of Gaza Strip said: 'We would like thank Turkey very, very much. We would like to thank everyone, all the ministries in Turkey very much. They haven't left us alone. We have so many needs, though. We are the sons of Sultan Abdulhamid. In other words, we are brothers and sisters in religion. You would never leave us. We have great hopes. You need to stand by us, because Sultan Abdulhamid didn't abandon us . And you wouldn't either. We know that.'


text:
Soup, salad, entree, dessert and beverage for $6. Impossible? Yep. Unless you go back to school.
Soup, salad, entree, dessert and beverage for $6. Impossible? Yep. Unless you go back to school.
This $6 deal is offered every week at the Harvest Room, a restaurant run by culinary students at Massillon's R.G. Drage vocational school.
"Whatever I'm trying to teach the kids, that is the special that week," said David Browne, culinary instructor. "We usually have two soups, our homemade breads, desserts."
The Harvest Room is open to the public, but you might have to fight the school staff for seats.
"It's always good," enthused secretary Nicole Mercer. "My husband usually comes and has lunch with me — he loves it too. My favorites are the homey specials, like meatloaf and mashed potatoes."
Mercer said she gets a kick out of watching the culinary students.
"They'll come out of the kitchen and say, 'Did you like that? I made that.' It's fun to see how proud they are of their work."
R.G. Drage accepts students from all school districts, but Browne is quick to point out there are other similar programs.
"We're the only county in Ohio that has five culinary programs," he said.
Although he's been there for 20 years, he's always trying new things.
"This year we did a Cuban meal that was a big hit." Browne said his inspiration was a visit to Havana's Flavor, a new Cuban restaurant at 4030 Lincoln Way E.
The Harvest Room kickoff for this school year was a barbecue.
"We smoked all our meat here — brisket, ribs — it was a gigantic buffet," Browne said. "That's our impress-the-parents event."
Browne took his students on a field trip in November to the Fabulous Food Show at the IX Center in Cleveland, before they had to buckle down to prepare for the three-day gingerbread house buffet today, Thursday and Friday.
"That's our Christmas blow-out," Browne said. "We have
10 stations, some out in the hall because we don't have enough room. Every table has a different Christmas theme."
In addition to the huge buffet, there will be ice carvings on display, as well as 18 gingerbread houses constructed by senior students.
Editor's note: Restaurants run by culinary students are tucked inside five Stark County high schools. Although several of these restaurants have been open to the public for 30 years or more, they still are a best-kept secret from many area residents. In this five-part series, food writer Saimi Bergmann throws open the doors to give you a glimpse inside these affordable eateries.


text:
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text:
CCPA:LPD:PR (Notice 2009-60)
Room 5203
Internal Revenue Service
Post Office Box 7604
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am an ethical "unenrolled" tax practitioner who has been preparing 1040s, and 1040As, for compensation since February of 1972. During my tenure I have never had any "problems" with the Internal Revenue Service or a State tax authority regarding the preparation of returns.
I had previously submitted my initial comments on the topic of regulation of tax preparers in writing directly to IRS Commissioner Shulman. However since the debate began I have heard from other tax professionals on the subject and have read the testimony presented by representatives of various related membership organizations at the July 30th Public Forum, and my opinions have "evolved".
I support the registration and licensing of all tax return preparers. I have outlined below how such a process should be handled.
1. All individuals who prepare more than 10 federal individual income tax returns (Series 1040) for compensation in any one calendar year must register with the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility and be licensed as a "Licensed Tax Practitioner" (the 10 return minimum would avoid individuals who prepare the tax returns of family members in exchange for a free meal or other non-cash "compensation" having to be licensed).
2. Only a "Licensed Tax Practitioner" would be permitted to prepare a federal individual income tax return for a fee.
3. Certified Public Accountants and Attorneys who want to be able to prepare federal individual income tax returns for a fee would be required to register and be licensed as a "Licensed Tax Practitioner".
4. All Enrolled Agents would automatically be registered as a "Licensed Tax Practitioner" by virtue of their EA status.
5. A "Licensed Tax Practitioner" would not be permitted to "practice" before the Internal Revenue Service, other than in the limited fashion that a currently "unenrolled" preparer can represent a taxpayer-client under a Power of Attorney or Declaration of Representative with regard to the audit of a federal income tax return that he/she has personally prepared, or to discuss such return with the Internal Revenue Service under the "check-the-box" regime. Current regulations for practice before the Internal Revenue Service covered in Circular 230 would remain unchanged. Only qualified Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents, Enrolled Actuaries, and Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents would be permitted to "practice" before the Internal Revenue Service.
6. In order to become a "Licensed Tax Practitioner" one must submit an application, pay a registration fee, and pass an initial proficiency examination.
7. For the first year that registration and licensure is enacted, current unenrolled tax practitioners who have been preparing federal individual income tax returns consistently for five years (60 months), who have earned 50 hours of Continuing Professional Education credit in Individual Income Taxation in the two year (24 month) period prior to registration, and who are not currently prohibited from preparing federal income tax returns because of past bad acts will be exempt from taking the initial proficiency examination.
8. A practitioner who does not meet the five-year 50-hour requirement but has met the requirements for becoming a licensed tax preparer under a State administered mandatory licensing regime is exempt from taking the initial proficiency examination.
9. An individual who does not meet the five-year 50-hour requirement but has met the requirements for becoming a Licensed Public Accountant under a State administered licensing regime is not exempt from taking the initial proficiency examination. Like a Certified Public Accountant, a Licensed Public Accountant must either meet the requirements for "grandfathering" or take the test.
10. An individual who has satisfactorily passed by examination an education program in Federal Individual Income Tax Preparation offered by a qualified educational institution or membership organization (such as The Income Tax School or the National Association of Tax Professionals Basic Training Course) will be exempt from the initial proficiency examination, provided the examination by the school or organization covers the same items of federal individual income tax law as the IRS administered initial proficiency examination.
11. Upon being granted a license to professionally prepare federal individual income tax returns each LTC will be provided with a Preparer Tax Identification Number, which may be the PTIN that has previously been issued to that practitioner prior to the enactment of licensure. A "Licensed Tax Practitioner" will be required to enter his/her PTIN alongside his signature on any federal individual income tax returns prepared for compensation.
12. A "Licensed Tax Practitioner" must reapply for licensure every three (3) years by submitting an application which documents that the LTP has earned a total of seventy (70) hours of Continuing Professional Education in Individual Income Taxation and two (2) hours of Continuing Professional Education in Ethics in the preceding three (3) year period and paying a re-application fee. A minimum of sixteen (16) hours of Continuing Professional Education in Individual Income Taxation is required within each 12 month period. An LTP applying for a 3-year extension of a license must have earned these total seventy-two (72) hours in Continuing Professional Education during a 36-month period in order for his/her license to be extended.
13. A "Licensed Tax Practitioner" shall be subject to the various rules, regulations and penalties as prescribed in IRS Circular 230, and can have his/her license temporarily or permanently revoked by the Office of Professional Responsibility as therein prescribed.
14. A "Licensed Tax Practitioner" would be held to a Code of Ethics and Standards/Rules of Professional Conduct similar in nature to those of the National Association of Tax Professionals, the National Society of Accountants, and the National Association of Enrolled Agents.
15. A person applying for a license to professionally prepare individual income tax returns must be "current" on the filing and payment of all his/her "open" federal individual income tax returns. Open balances due from "closed" years shall not deter the licensure process, provided all returns have been filed. An applicant who is not "current" for all "open" years will be given the opportunity to become "current" during the application process.
16. A person applying for a license to professionally prepare individual income tax returns will not be subject to any invasive federal background check other than to verify that he/she is not currently prohibited from preparing income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service Office of Professional Responsibility or a State licensing authority and to verify that he/she is "current" on all "open" federal individual income tax returns.
17. A person applying for a license to professionally prepare individual income tax returns shall not be required to provide the Internal Revenue Service or any other federal agency with fingerprints.
The above regime is for the licensing of 1040 preparers. There would also be a separate licensing regime for those who want to prepare 5 or more "entity" returns per year professionally – 706s, 990s, 1041s, 1065s, and 1120s – a "Licensed Tax Practitioner II" for lack of a better designation, with similar testing, and exemption from testing, and CPE requirements and similar language. For this license regime CPAs and Attorneys may be exempt from the initial proficiency test if the Treasury Department felt it appropriate.
If an individual wanted to prepare both 1040s and entity returns he/she would have to be tested separately, or qualify to be exempt from testing, for each component. However the CPE requirement would be 108 credit hours, and not 144, in a three (3) year period, with 2 in Ethics, 53 in Individual Income Taxation, and 53 in Entity Taxation, and an annual minimum of 24 CPE hours combined.
I do not believe there should be any kind of "two-tiered" system for the 1040 preparation license – a basic level with an "apprenticeship" term and an experienced level, with the basic level practitioners supervised by experienced level ones - as had been suggested by the American Bar Association at the July 30th Public Forum. I feel that commercial preparation chains such as H+R Block would exploit such a system to continue to have underpaid part-time seasonal employees with minimal education and training do most of their individual returns.
Volunteer tax preparers under the AARP and the IRS VITA program would not be required to become a "Licensed Tax Practitioner" under the 1040 preparation regime in order to continue to prepare 1040s and 1040As through these programs. Such individuals are not preparing tax returns "professionally" (although their work is for the most part truly professional), meaning for a fee. They are volunteers who prepare less complicated returns of lower income taxpayers "pro bono".
The implementation of such a system of registration and licensure requires the acceptance and cooperation of the current community of tax practitioners, both enrolled and "unenrolled". The IRS must present this system in a positive manner. The IRS should make it known that it does not intend to use registration and licensure to "control" all tax preparers, or to "punish" unenrolled preparers.
Registration and licensure should be presented as a means of "leveling the playing field" so that all "Licensed Tax Practitioners" would become equal in the eyes of the public. This would do away with the erroneous public misconception that only CPAs are "tax experts". It is also a way to recognize the education, experience, and expertise of current competent "unenrolled" preparers, most of whom are already earning annual CPE credit to remain current.
The IRS must embark on a publicity campaign each tax season to educate the public on the importance of seeking out a "Licensed Tax Practitioner" to prepare their individual income tax returns. It should publicize the experience or examination and continuing education requirements of an LTP, the fact that only an LTP is permitted to prepare an individual income tax return for a fee, and that an LTP is required by law to sign the tax return. Taxpayers should be able to use the IRS website to locate "Licensed Tax Practitioners" in their area and to verify a tax preparer's LTP status.
There would obviously be penalties charged to unlicensed tax preparers who prepare more than 10 tax returns per year for compensation. There should also be a corresponding penalty charge for the individual taxpayer whose tax return was prepared by the unlicensed tax preparer.
If a registration and licensure regime is implemented it would be effective the very earliest for 2010 individual income tax returns prepared in 2011, and the registration and testing process could begin in May of 2010.
Thank you for the opportunity to present my opinions on this important issue. Please let me know if I can be of further service in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Robert D Flach
President and CEO
Taxpro Services Corporation
I urge you to submit you comments and suggestions on this topic to the IRS. You can use the above address or submit your recommendations via email to –firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
I am a beginner in Greek, and am looking for a Greek New Testament. I saw this:
http://www.ibiblio.org/koine/#gntThe authoritative Greek text used by most Bible translators, scholars, and seminaries is the Nestle-Aland text, which is now in the 27th edition. The same text is also used in the United Bible Society's Greek New Testament, 4th edition, which is what I use (well, actually I still use the 3rd edition). These two editions use the same text, but have different approaches to listing the variant readings found in the manuscripts. The cheapest place to get either of these is the American Bible Society (1-800-322-4253).
...but I'm unsure what the difference is, and how much it might matter to me, at this point.
Also, I've found random other copies, on Ebay and such, (1964 Η ΚΑΙΝΗ ΔΙΑΘΗΚΗ Greek New Testament 2nd Ed British & Foreign Bible Society; 1884 New Testament from Greek, American Bible Society; also this: http://www.tbsbibles.org/shop.php?sess= ... BrJA%3D%3D )but again I really don't know anything about publishers/texts/whatever they're really called... :[
..could anyone help me?
thank you!
tara christine


text:
David Tyree Rejoins the New York Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have hired former receiver David Tyree as director of player development.
Tyree's spectacular catch against his helmet was a key play in the team's 2008 Super Bowl upset of undefeated New England. He replaces Charles Way, who became the head of the NFL's Player Engagement Department earlier this month.
The 34-year-old Tyree played for the Giants from 2003-08. He spent the last two years working in player engagement and development at the NFL office.
He will handle programs focusing on career transition, player assistance, and training and development.
Tyree calls returning to the Giants "a second homecoming."
He says: "I'm grateful to be an example and hopefully represent this great organization in the same light. ... I'm just thrilled to get in here and serve these players."


text:
Friday Night Lives In big cities and small towns, high school football is the ritual that defines the fall. And for many young men, it defines who they are. All season long, NPR brings you the stories, struggles and victories of the sport, while exploring the costs and issues it raises.
Special Series


text:
Merriam-Webster defines it as "a person of fresh initiative or inventive capacity."
Levi's says it's "the blue jean that started it all." Werther's says it's "the world's favorite caramel."
Here at Major League Soccer, we characterize it as a player "who played at least one minute in each and every season in league history." And as we all know, they're a dying breed.
At the end of last season, there were only three left. But then Jesse Marsch retired and Steve Ralston left for second-division AC St. Louis before hanging up his cleats two months ago.
That left only Jaime Moreno. So it was big news when D.C. United announced a couple weeks ago that the last remaining "MLS original" would not be back at RFK Stadium next season.
Not to take anything away from Moreno, who has been a class act in each of his 15 seasons of MLS, still holds the all-time scoring record with 132 goals (for now) and has been a near-perfect ambassador for the success of the league.
But MLS original? Semantics. The league is full of veterans who have been around since Day 1. Brian McBride, Ramiro Corrales, Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Lewis and Zach Thornton all were on MLS squads during that inaugural season. And all of them are still going strong.
[inline_node:317472]They're just not MLS originals. At least not by league standards.
"We're being punished for going to Europe, I guess," chuckled Hejduk this week.
And you can't blame him. The fact that each of these five grizzled veterans decided to give it a go in the Old World actually hurt their standing – at least as far as the "MLS original" goes.
And that's the ironic thing. The guys who went to go slog it out with the big boys during MLS' infancy, the guys who had to scrap and fight every day just to prove a daring Yank belonged – well, there's more of them left now than the guys who stuck around.
It just happens to be the fans' divine reward that they came back after differing experiences away from the league. Hejduk and Lewis departed MLS after a few seasons with Tampa Bay and San Jose, respectively.
Hejduk went on to help Bayer Leverkusen reach the 1999 Champions League final before eventually finding his way back to Columbus in 2003. Lewis worked his tail off for eight years, mostly in the English second division, for Fulham, Preston North End, Leeds United and Derby County. He had mixed results at two World Cups, and eventually found his way back to his hometown LA Galaxy in 2008.
McBride, of course, had arguably the greatest success of any American player overseas. His four seasons at Fulham won him the adoration of the Craven Cottage faithful. His tireless work rate, complete disregard for his own face and more than 150 goals eventually earned him the captain's armband. No wonder it was something of a coup that his hometown Chicago Fire landed his signature two summers ago.
OK, so we're talking three guys who all started in Major League Soccer, yet each spent more than five seasons abroad. Maybe they don't deserve to be part of some elite club of MLS lifers. But doesn't it seem a little punitive for the other two?
Corrales played less than three seasons in Norway after time with Columbus, San Jose, Miami and the MetroStars. Now he's back in his native Northern California as Earthquakes captain, and it's hard to imagine he was ever elsewhere.
Then there's Thornton. Big Z has played so long, he was Tony Meola's backup during his first two seasons with the MetroStars. His 15-year career has also seen him man the nets for Chicago, Colorado and, now, Chivas USA.
That's approaching 300 appearances in every season MLS has ever had ... except for 2004. Thornton took a chance on a six-month contract with Benfica that ultimately didn't yield a single appearance. And that's what precludes him from the "original" tag. Six lousy months.
"They love to forget about me," he sighed. "They forget about me quite often."
But not a single one of these players is bitter. All five know each other quite well – not just from their years of MLS service, but dating back to time spent in the US youth set-up and various senior national-team stints. But they don't sit around complaining that they don't get their just desserts from the league.
[inline_node:317471]"If anything," joked Thornton, who turns 37 next month, "we look at each other and say, 'Man we're getting old.'"
It's a funny thing. For as much gratitude as we all owe to Moreno – who is truly, at this point, the last of his kind – we almost owe a bigger debt to the 96ers. They all got their starts in MLS, and helped get it off the ground when it could have crashed and burned like so many failed professional American leagues before it. And yet they all found their way back home after their great adventures.
"This is a really good league," Hejduk said. "Some of the [American] guys who had played overseas who hadn't played in MLS didn't know what to expect when they came home. They expected it to be chill and lackadaisical.
"It's not. It's tough. You can see that even with guys like Rafa Márquez and [Thierry] Henry – they see it's not easy."
No, MLS isn't yet in the public eye to the magnitude of the NFL, the NBA or Major League Baseball. But it is a financially sound, established league with enough money and support to survive – and it only gets bigger every year.
What an amazing gift it is that so many of the 96ers are still around – and still playing at a fairly high level, even though each is approaching 40. (Former teen sensation Corrales, only 33, is the lone exception.)
"I feel like I'm 20 years old, to be honest," said the 36-year-old Hejduk. "It's not until I look around and go, "Wow, dude, I'm the second-oldest guy on the team,' that I realize that."
Corrales, Hejduk and Thornton will certainly return in 2011. Lewis, most likely. McBride, you never know when he'll call it a day. That means every second these guys are still on an MLS pitch at the same time is like peering back into league history.
You tell me that's not deserving of "original" status. When the 96ers are gone, the term will matter little. What they did for the league, well, that's a legacy that'll last longer than your favorite pair of 501s.
Jonah Freedman is the managing editor of MLSsoccer.com. "The Throw-In" appears every Thursday.


text:
Friday, July 10, 2009
the second BOOK CELEBRATION contest...
THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to comment on the new stamps.
I'm very happy with how they turned out.
I'll have some FULL photos of some samples to show next week, when I return from Carson.
The Arizona report...
Did I sit on the porch & have a mojito? YOU BET!!
Did we SHOP yesterday? YOU BET!!! Sorry Rick!
Did we work on THE CRUISE? You bet!!
It will be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm just saying...
just you wait to see what we have planned for you...
I was excited before, but now that it's LESS than 100 days & our ideas are getting finalized I'm about to jump out of my skin.
The special "yahoo cruise group" has started & I'll be posting there next week to start teasing (torturing?)...stay tuned!
On to the CONTEST!
the rules are SIMPLE...
Look @ yesterday's post... inspect the new stamp sets...then...
tell me the name of your favorite NEW studio 490 stamp set...
If you could only buy one...which would it be?
Remember to click on the photo to enlarge it...
I'll be back on Tuesday, July 14th...with the winner...
Leave your comment before 7am on Tuesday!
The comment is your entry!
We'll have the random generator choose the second "book celebration" winner...
The winner gets a box filled with goodies from MAYA ROAD.
until then...
have a GREAT weekend and...
make art!
ps...CARSON OR BUST!
135 comments:
- Nancy said...
Hi Wendy
All your new stamp sets really rock, but my fav would be Card Art Essentials. The sizes are great for cards and I love all the sayings. Thanks for a chance to win.
- July 10, 2009 at 7:17 AM
- Etta said...
No way I could buy JUST ONE! I love the sentiments, so CARD ART ESSENTIALS would make the cut. But, when I go to check out, I notice that ART-FULLY SAID has fallen into my shopping basket. OOPS!!! Since I'm in a rush to go home and MAKE ART, I have no time to put it back on the shelf. So... I pay for both and smile all the way home.
- July 10, 2009 at 7:27 AM
- scrappin-scrappin said...
Wow, having to choose a favorite is almost impossible! I want and need them all!!! If I had to choose the first set I will get is the Alphabetically Art, I love the background stamp! Next would be Make Mine Mini. Will definetly be getting them all. Thank you so much Wendy for designing these wonderful stamps and the chance of winning some goodies!
- July 10, 2009 at 7:30 AM
- Lisa said...
Wow! Picking one would be so hard! I cant wait to get my hands on these! My favorite is Artfully Said.
- July 10, 2009 at 7:42 AM
- Dianal said...
Too many decisions since I really love all the new sets. This is like asking a mother with seven children which one is her favourite. But if I had to make a choice I would say it's a tie between Card Art Essentials and Make Mine Mini Art. I can visualize the mini flowers on some of my smaller projects but then I can see the sentiments on my cards ... well I guess I would have to buy them both and that's my final answer. Great designs Wendy - can hardly wait to they arrive in the lss.
- July 10, 2009 at 7:44 AM
- Alyce said...
Just one???? I guess I would have to choose Make Mine Mini Art. I make a lot of atc's and although I use portions of large stamps on them, I like "mini" stuff.
I hope they bring some of these to the stamp convention in November....
- July 10, 2009 at 7:49 AM
- Sarah said...
After careful consideration, I have to go with Make Mine Mini Art. This would fulfill my need for flower components.
- July 10, 2009 at 7:49 AM
- Joyce said...
It's More Flower Art - that one is my favorite if you are going to force me to pick one. Can't wait to get some ink on these babies!
- July 10, 2009 at 7:54 AM
- slbt17 said...
I think it would have to be make mine mine art LCS021 - I make cards, and these would work well -
second would be it's more flower art .... now I have to find some money someplace!
Thanks for the fun!
Best of luck to you with your new release and your book!
- July 10, 2009 at 7:58 AM
- carpediem said...
I knew that you were going to ask this question! I've been studying each of the sets since you posted yesterday and have decided that I couldn't live without "It's More Flower Art" I love the background, the floral silhouette and the flower images! Like all of your other sets, this one is so versatile and would make it so enjoyable to "make art"!!! Thanks Wendy! (by the way, can you share which is your favorite?)
- July 10, 2009 at 8:00 AM
- D's Paper Studio said...
Since I'm getting all of them, I can choose one set that I think is outstanding and different. lowercase art...I love the flowers, the background stamp and the lower case letter. Awesome!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:00 AM
- Margie Higuchi said...
I agree...can't pick one!
BUT "It's More Flower Art" is where my eye is landing...for now! LOL!!
Have a great time this weekend! Hey, don't forget to take pictures!! LOL!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:04 AM
- Sharon Margiotta said...
Artfully said ... without a doubt! From the first moment I layed eyes on it .... artuflly said!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:27 AM
- Beth Pingry said...
Oh Wendy, I'd have to say Card Art Essentials would be my first pic and purchase, but I really like them all!!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:41 AM
- margie said...
alphabetically rock would be my purchase IF i could only buy one. I love , love, love the background!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:43 AM
- Linda said...
It was a tough choice to narrow it down to one favorite. The final decision got down to "Eeny Meeny Miney Mo" and the very best one is "Art-Fully Said". Well, it may not be the very best one as all your new sets are the best, but you did say just one. . .
Have fun in Carson and safe travels.
- July 10, 2009 at 8:48 AM
- Arlene Mobley said...
The new stamps are great. If I had to pick just one set it would have to be Lower Case Art. I love that flower!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:59 AM
- Betsy said...
Wendy, did we have the same mother??!!? Funny, I don't remember you living with us but the "rules to live by" in the set Art-fully Said could have come right out of my mom's mouth! She is so smart, my mom..and so are you!! I would dearly love to have that set to honor my mom and reflect the things she taught me all those years ago. great work Wendy! Thanks!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:04 AM
- Nancy B said...
Love the new stamps. Alphabetically Art is my fav.
- July 10, 2009 at 9:10 AM
- Alisa said...
Wendy-My favorite has to be Make Mine Mini Art because I can't wait to get my hands on the mini butterfly.
- July 10, 2009 at 9:10 AM
- Lori said...
Whew, tough choice! I would have to say Alphabetically Art, because I WANT that background stamp, it's totally awesome! Followed closely by the Make It Mini, butterfly!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:18 AM
- michelle said...
Well that is not a fair question nor an easy one. I guess I had to figure this out and my DH would love me to just get one like that will ever work. So my first pick would be alphabetically art love the flower and the back ground stamp a perfect set!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:18 AM
- Becky T. said...
I don't want to pick just one but if I absolutely have to... Card Art Essentials would be the one. Have fun in Carson with Tim!!!! :-)
- July 10, 2009 at 9:18 AM
- Jayne said...
We actually have to choose? Wow, that's hard. If I could only buy one, though, I think that it would be: Make Mine Mini Art, only because it has so many neat elements in it. Wonderful new stamps!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM
- Susie Lang said...
Hmmm . . . just one? Well, if I could really only have one, I guess it would be Alphabetically Art. I really do love the large background stamps the most. They seem to make everything else work better.
- July 10, 2009 at 9:22 AM
- Marlis said...
just one, are you sure... toss up between card essentials and lower case art, card essentials - lower case art... card essentials, lower case art....mmmmmm
lower case art! but wait no it's card essentials...
- July 10, 2009 at 9:26 AM
- Jeanne said...
I'm so excited to finally see these. OK, to pick just one, I think I'd go with It's More Flower Art for now. Love the flowers & always love those backgrounds.
- July 10, 2009 at 9:26 AM
- Irene Lenihan said...
It is a hard decision but I think I would get the Make Mine Mini Art if I could only get one. They are all spectacular.
- July 10, 2009 at 9:29 AM
- Elaine K. said...
Picking just one stamp set is next to impossible since I love so many of them. The flowers on Lower Case Art are fantastic so I will go with that one! Of course the backgrounds on Artfully Said and It's More Flower Art are georgous.
- July 10, 2009 at 9:32 AM
- Linda M. Cain said...
Alphabetically Art really caught my eye!
Great letters and background!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:41 AM
- The Junque Studio said...
Can I just have them all - PLEASE! I just love, love them. Gosh, I have to pick my favorite though - If I have to pick just one I will say L9ower Case Art because those flowers caught my eye right away but I also just love Card Art Essentials because I just love making cards lately.
- July 10, 2009 at 9:43 AM
- Dr. Theall said...
the cruise sounds like fun! I think my favorite of the new stamp sets is the little circle flower one that has the happiness quote and the newsprint strips. that looks so much fun!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:45 AM
- Bonita Rose said...
my fave is ART FULLY SAID.. love that background alpha stamp.. love it... omg... I so want this one! hugs bonnierose in fargo
- July 10, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Hands down? The one I had to click on first ... Art Fully Said. That typewriter background stamp ... TOO DIE FOR! Is this giveaway for a stamp of yours? This is the one I want. Just saying ... I really want that stamp. :)
- July 10, 2009 at 10:03 AM
- KAT said...
Only buy one - eeekkkk.... Well it's a toss up between the Make Mine Mini Art - love the potential of the stem with the mini grunge flowers...
And my other choice is Dimensional Rose Art - I know what can be done with the flower and you have a great leave, flourish and number backgrounder to compliment the rose - that set has a ton of potential...
Now on to the cruise - spill - we wanna know....
- July 10, 2009 at 10:05 AM
- Debby said...
Very hard to choose but I like Alphabetically Art due to the wonderful flower background stamp. I just love that stamp. You did an amazing job with all of the sets. Looking forward to taking another class someday. Have a great time in Carson.
- July 10, 2009 at 10:25 AM
- Anne said...
Hi, Wendy! I think Card Art Essentials is my fave. Lots of great sentiments, which I seem to be lacking. Thanks to you and Maya Road for the generous giveaway! :-)
- July 10, 2009 at 10:28 AM
- Unknown said...
The rules to live by on ART-FULLY SAID are wonderful- I try to be nice, and do my best. Let me just say that I love your generous prize which will help me to live life more fully. Big SHOUT OUT praise for your creative new stamps- I hope you never give up!
- July 10, 2009 at 10:33 AM
- Unknown said...
Picking just one is near impossible! So, I'll narrow it down to two -- 1) Make Mine Mini Art and 2) It's More Flower Art. Can't wait to get them all!
- July 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM
- Nancy Lynn said...
I would pick alphabetically said as my favorite because I love letters and numbers. I can't wait til you post about the cruise on theartfuljourney. Nancy
- July 10, 2009 at 10:46 AM
- Kathy Eddy said...
Well, it's a tough choice to narrow it down to just one; but if I can only get one, it would definately be Artfully Said. I really love a lot of them though! Great job as always! Kathy Eddy
- July 10, 2009 at 10:46 AM
- Unknown said...
How to choose just one? I really love the Dimensional Rose Art. The leaves are just beautiful and the flower is perfect for grungepaper!
Thanks Wendy!
- July 10, 2009 at 10:53 AM
- Cecile Nichols said...
These new images are fantastic, Wendy!! Pick just one? That's tough, but I think it would have to be "Lower Case Art".
Congratulations on another great set, Wendy!
- July 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM
- Tona said...
It was a really hard choice but if I could only buy one it would have to be the Dimensional Rose Art set.
- July 10, 2009 at 11:22 AM
- Unknown said...
You want me to pick just ONE? I WANT THEM ALL!!!
Okay, I guess, if I HAD TO, I would pick "Make Mine Mini Art." I think they would be a great addition to the sets I already have. (Which of course is ALL of them.) Perfect for layering. Love the mini butterfly to go with the bigger butterfly.
So, where and when can I get these the fastest?
Your BFF Terry
- July 10, 2009 at 11:56 AM
- Elaine said...
Got to be Its More Flower Art but the others are great too. Nice to have words, a few flowers and a background all in one set. Good luck wit htheir launch.
- July 10, 2009 at 12:24 PM
- Keely said...
Wendy, you've done it again! hit a homerun outta the park :) But my fav is Artfully Said. Great quotes. Can't wait to see these at Hannah's!!
- July 10, 2009 at 12:24 PM
- Janene said...
Just one is so very hard yto chose. I am going to have to got with Lowercase art - loving that flower. You are one talented Chick. Very cool and do love them all. Bets of luck - also wish I could go on the cruise but its just not in the cards for this year. best of luck!
- July 10, 2009 at 12:26 PM
- Naomi Chokr said...
I want them all!!!!!!!!
But if I have to choose.....dang this is tough....i'll take the "make mine mini art" love that set.
Oh god i have to have them all :)
You're BFF Terry introduced you to us all here at the Playground.
Hope to meet you too sometime. Anymore room for another BFF?
- July 10, 2009 at 12:33 PM
- Gine said...
WoW...almost imossible to just pick one set. Love them all, but "Lower case art" Is one I have to get my hands on
- July 10, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I'd be thrilled with any one of them, but the one I keep going back to, clicking on, and realizing I HAVE to have it is Lowercase art. Gorgeous!
- July 10, 2009 at 12:43 PM
- borcherding said...
Artfully Said. :-) Thanks for the chance to win some goodies! Peace and blessings...
- July 10, 2009 at 1:00 PM
- Susan Goodell said...
If I could only buy one set of stamps it would be the Lower Case Art set. I really like the flowers in this set.
- July 10, 2009 at 1:12 PM
- Pat said...
You want me to pick "JUST ONE!" Oh well, if I have to! I guess "Card Art Essentials." Thanks, Pat
- July 10, 2009 at 1:37 PM
- Sue said...
I really like lower case art... Thanks for the chance to win goodies! :) Sue
- July 10, 2009 at 2:31 PM
- Art By Wanda said...
Just one... how hard is that... I would choose Make Mine Mini Art... fabulous!!! Thanks (I hope I win, I hope I win, I hope I win :-)
- July 10, 2009 at 2:36 PM
- Erica - CopperSunSilverMoon said...
They are all awesome, but if I had to choose just one, I think it would be "Art-fully Said"
- July 10, 2009 at 2:38 PM
- Maureen F. said...
I love the card art essentials. I can use eacha nd everyone of those stamps for some many things !!! really great
- July 10, 2009 at 2:49 PM
- kate blue said...
Since you siad ONE, my fav is Alphabetically Art-has most potential for layering.
- July 10, 2009 at 2:53 PM
- Reba said...
Wendy, I love your blog (thanks, T!m). I like the Artfully Said Stamps. I make a lot of ATC's and these are perfect. They have everything - background, sayings, and even a flower. What more would I need!
- July 10, 2009 at 3:01 PM
- Auntie Jill said...
Card Art Essentials, of course! Thanks for the chance to WIN.
Enjoy the show,
- July 10, 2009 at 3:11 PM
- Debbie K. said...
Love your new stamps Wendy! It's hard to choose as they are all great, but my fav is LCS017.
- July 10, 2009 at 3:19 PM
- Kathy said...
hmmmmmmmmmm..tough decision! I need/want them ALL! :) but my decision is card art essential!
hope im the lucky one !! THANKS
- July 10, 2009 at 3:19 PM
- Julie said...
If I had to pick just one stamp set it would be the "Make Mine Mini Art" since there are a lot of different flower options you can use. Love those flowers!!
- July 10, 2009 at 3:20 PM
- Teresa Woods said...
I love the Make Mine Mini set it has so many possibilities. I can't wait for them to hit the stores.
- July 10, 2009 at 4:05 PM
- Renee said...
They all look great...hope I get to see them in person this weekend in Carson!
I would pick Lower Case Art as my fave although I think they are all great!
- July 10, 2009 at 4:47 PM
- Evidence of an Artistic Life said...
This is hard to choose-they are all wonderful. I am eying Dimensional Rose Art. But I want all of them!
- July 10, 2009 at 5:29 PM
- Stampnms said...
Hard to pick just one but I'll say make mine mini art. Love the butterfly.
- July 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM
- Sue said...
Love them all of course! I think Make Mine Mini Art is my fav. Your art is very inspiring!
- July 10, 2009 at 6:04 PM
- aknancy said...
Wendy, I LOVE all the new stamps.. too hard to choose. I cannot wait to see what projects you have in store for the cruise... also, are you going to have ur book available on the cruise as well???
- July 10, 2009 at 6:36 PM
- ScrappyPam said...
It was really hard to choose! But I'll pick Art-Fully Said. Can't wait until the cruise!!
- July 10, 2009 at 6:48 PM
- Jacquie Hart said...
I love them all but if I had to pick just one it would be the Card Art Essentials I am a cardaholic!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the chance
- July 10, 2009 at 7:46 PM
- B in Baton Rouge said...
They are all beautiful. But, my favorite is art-fully said. Thanks for sharing!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:08 PM
- Michele K said...
If I could only choose one (which CANNOT happen...I must have them all!!!) I would have to say Alphabetically Art. Thanks for all the fun peeks these past several day! You are the best...safe travels to you and Tim!
- July 10, 2009 at 8:13 PM
- roro said...
I'm looking forward to the cruise and any hints about the CRUISE :0)
I love your stamps (all them but I love the alphabetically art one the most). See you on the cruise, thanks for the chance to win such a great prize. say hi to Timmy :0)
- July 10, 2009 at 8:50 PM
- Elaine A said...
Ok Wendy -
If I can only choose one, it would have to be Make Mine Mini Art. But I have to say that they are all fabulous!
Elaine Allen
- July 10, 2009 at 9:15 PM
- Scrapthat said...
Oh boy! I missed yesterday! I thought you would have been still sipping Mojitos LOL! Love all the sets but I really think because of the rules I love the "Art-Fully Said" LCS016 set (great title too!)...thing the rules would be fabulous for my little gal!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:35 PM
- Rhonda said...
They are all great, but I will have to purchase Make Mine Mini Art right away. However, I will eventually have to get them all! Thanks Wendy!
- July 10, 2009 at 9:50 PM
- Susan said...
I love them all, but if I could only have one set, I'd pick the More Flowers. It has an awesome background and the flower shapes and is so versatile.
Thanks for the chance to win the goodies!
- July 10, 2009 at 10:01 PM
- kokomogoldie said...
Ok...it's next to impossible to pick just one...but since you incisted...mine absolute have to have is "More FLower Art" But if by some weird chance of fate they were out of it, then it would be "Make Mine Mini Art". Thanks for sharing!
- July 10, 2009 at 10:42 PM
- 2amscrapper said...
Card Art Essentials if I HAVE to choose just one--the sentiments are timeless. Thanks for "making art" fun, Wendy!
- July 10, 2009 at 10:50 PM
- Erin Glee said...
I LOVE Alphabetically Art! I think it has the most of what I want but I'm not going to think about it any more or I will change my mind~YEAH! Make Mine Mini! No, I can only pick one.
Have a blast at the Carson Show!
- July 10, 2009 at 10:56 PM
- Donna said...
Pick one? Are you out of your mind? I can't pick one! But I can pick two, it would be.........lower case & mini art!
Sorry just had to pick 2. Mom said I could never follow directions.
- July 10, 2009 at 10:57 PM
- Lisa Pace said...
I am so thrilled for you... I so wish I was going on this cruise. You can bet I will be here waiting to hear all about it.
- July 10, 2009 at 11:08 PM
- MooMoo said...
Of course, they are all amazing but my absolute favorite today is Thinking of you but yesterday my favorite was Art-fully said. I think tomorrow my favorite will be Alphabetically Art! Thank you for your inspirations!
- July 11, 2009 at 5:34 AM
- Kim said...
I really would have to pick the Lowercase art set! I love all of the sets, but I really like the flowers, and LOVE the text background stamp:)Great job Wendy, and I can't wait to hear about the show!!
- July 11, 2009 at 6:25 AM
- Margaret Kane Ward said...
you're a mean person (MOSTLY just-kidding, BTW)!! If I could only pick 1 MOST favorite set, it'd be ART-FULLY SAID. LOVE those images; almost like visions of sugarplums dancing in my head with that set. Thanks for the preview AND the chance to maybe win!!!
- July 11, 2009 at 9:21 AM
- Courtney said...
It would have to be alphabetically art!
- July 11, 2009 at 10:15 AM
- Tamikko said...
My favorite is the Card Art Essentials. I would love to make more cards and this is the perfect set to run with.
- July 11, 2009 at 10:37 AM
- Unknown said...
For me, it's "It's More Flower art". Love the background stamp and love the flower border. Wendy: am anxious to see some of your works of art using this stamp set!
- July 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Well, if I could only buy one it would be Art-fully Said. I love it, however, the others are simply fab-u-lous!!!!
- July 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM
- Bel said...
I like many of your new stamps, Wendy, but if pressed to pick one set, I'd have to say the Art-Fully Said one is my favorite. Gotta get me some of your stamps...if only I could find some up here in Canada! Thanks for the opportunity!
- July 11, 2009 at 8:11 PM
- Andrea said...
Artfully Said! Totally awesome!
- July 11, 2009 at 8:53 PM
- Denise said...
I would have to choose art-fully said....luv the rules to live by!
- July 11, 2009 at 9:56 PM
- Sue McGettigan said...
Hi Wendy! Fun to see you at Carson today. All the new stamp sets look great, I think 'More Flower Art' is my fave. Keep making wonderful art, thanks for sharing it with all of us!
- July 11, 2009 at 10:41 PM
- Barb said...
Make Mine Mini Art....love the smaller flowers, alone, or in the center of other flowers.
- July 11, 2009 at 11:45 PM
- Sherry Goodloe said...
After going to the RSC today, I know that my FAVORITE new stamp sheet is the "It's More Flower Art". I just LOVE those wispy leaves and flowers you used on the tags at the demo.
Thank you so much for "gifting" me that tag at the show Wendy!
Glad I got to spend sooooo much time at the table this morning/afternoon and then take your make 'n take. I'm off to make more flowers now. You're RIGHT, once you make one . . . . xoxo see you on the cruise!
- July 11, 2009 at 11:57 PM
- Lucy said...
I was very excited to see you at convention today and have the opportunity to buy your gorgeous stamps and take your mini class! I choose # 2 as the next I'd like to buy becuase there are so many shapes - very versatile.
- July 12, 2009 at 12:09 AM
- paru's_circle said...
lcs018.. its more flower art!!
what a start
to a lovely journal page!
thanks for the chance!
- July 12, 2009 at 5:25 AM
- ChiLLi said...
just one!!!
have to be alphabetically art
- July 12, 2009 at 6:14 AM
- Lynne Forsythe said...
Wendy.....how does one choose JUST ONE...as the FAVE!!! so it those are the rule...I choose...Make Mine Mini Art...oh...this will be a must have for making more amazing flowers!!
PS congrats on the book girl...you are sooooooooooooo totally on a roll!!
- July 12, 2009 at 6:43 AM
- Donna said...
Sure, Make it hard for us! Great new collections Wendy! If I had to choose only one though, I'd chose the last one displayed, 'It's More Flower Art'. Can't wait to see them all!
- July 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM
- Beerdaddy said...
I agree with everyone's comments - choose one as a favorite? Nearly impossible! I love the big background stamps, as in Artfully said (LOVE those sayings!)......total art inspiration. These are wonderful and fun......thanks for offering the opportunity!
- July 12, 2009 at 12:17 PM
- Chris said...
Ha! I don't have to click to enlarge since I got to see ALL the new sets in Carson yesterday. Thanks Wendy, for that FAB-u-lous flower Make n' Take. You da bomb! I have a post on my blog with pics.
I love ALL the sets, but my fav has to be Alphabetically Art. I adore the background stamp and the flower bits. Maybe because I have a Wendy-style flower using them? Could be!
- July 12, 2009 at 12:34 PM
- Sarah Anderson said...
Hee, hee, I misread Chris' comment above and thought it said she'd already bought them all!! Every set!
I love the mini butterfly and the alphabets so I'm struggling to say which is my very favourite! Pick one? Ok, the mini art one :)
- July 12, 2009 at 6:01 PM
- kjjc said...
thought I'd done this but can't see my comment so at the risk of repeating myself and cos I've changed my mind anyway I'll go for the make me mini set. Just wish someone would make me mini.
- July 12, 2009 at 6:04 PM
- Erika M. said...
I actually love all the sets but if I only could buy one it would be the Card Art Essentials. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
- July 12, 2009 at 6:14 PM
- Jeannie said...
Of course, I could never buy just one (shhh...hubby may be reading) but if I had to choose just one it would be the It's More Flower Art. I've really become addicted to flowers after taking your class! What an enabler you are and love the new line!
- July 12, 2009 at 7:56 PM
- Kathleen Loughran said...
Just one!?!?! I would have to go with "Alphabetically Art." When will they be available for purchase? Thanks Wendy!
- July 12, 2009 at 8:01 PM
- Ms. Cheryl said...
I love em all but if only one then let there be Card Art Essentials. Thanks and WOW, ms.cheryl
- July 12, 2009 at 8:27 PM
- Sandy said...
Artfully Said would be my choice if I only had to pick one. Since when do we stick with only picking one? You can't buy one shoe, or one earring. You always get at least 2, so my second choice would be Alphabetically art.
- July 12, 2009 at 8:27 PM
- Trish said...
it's more flower art - definitely! I'm always on the lookout for easy cutout flowers and I love the background stamp.
- July 12, 2009 at 8:40 PM
- Leesa said...
Artfully said, for those wonderful rules.
Thanks so much for your wonderful class at the Carson stamp show on Sunday, and all the great inspiration from it.
Time to get stampin!
- July 12, 2009 at 8:48 PM
- Marion said...
If I saw you demonstrate how to use it, I'm sure my choice would be the Dimensional Rose, but if were to just buy one at the store, my choice would be the Lower Case Art. I can't look at the rose stamp and see how it would become dimensional. I love them both... you make it so hard to choose.
- July 12, 2009 at 8:51 PM
- stampinfranni said...
Alphabetically Art is #1 because of the background, flower elements and saying. I know you didn't ask, Wendy; but, running a very close second, in a tie, are the remaining six sets. They are all "must haves."
- July 12, 2009 at 8:53 PM
- Miss Iowa said...
Hands down, Art-Fully Said is my fave of the new sets. I already envision the projects I want to make incorporating "The Rules" with the stamps in the two Studio 490 sets I already own. Thanks for the great designs.
- July 12, 2009 at 9:40 PM
- Debby L. said...
If I have to pick a favorite, it would be Make Mine Mini Art. Perfect for cards or anything needing small embellishments.
- July 12, 2009 at 9:41 PM
- Shari said...
They are all really yummy...but if I had to pick one, it would have to be "Make Mine Mini Art"!!
-shari xo
- July 12, 2009 at 11:46 PM
- Hitomi said...
was great seeing you at the Carson show! Loved all your new stamp sets, but if I was forced to choose, I'd have to say Art-fully Said.
- July 13, 2009 at 4:21 AM
- Claire said...
My favorite is the one called "lower case art"... i love it! I love all of them, but it would be the first one i would run and and buy!
- July 13, 2009 at 7:00 AM
- Melissa S. said...
These are all wonderful,but the one I would choose is Make Mine Mini. Thank goodness we will have a chance to buy them all soon.
- July 13, 2009 at 8:11 AM
- Anita Van Hal said...
ONE favorite? If I HAVE to pick one it would be Alphabetically Art...they're all wonderful!
- July 13, 2009 at 8:13 AM
- Shirley said...
Wendy, wonderful new sets! Okay, now comes the hard part, choosing my favorite. I looked at the sets several time and kept changing my mind. If I had to chose JUST one, it would be Lower Case Art but Make Mine Mini is hiding right behind it. Guess I will get both of them. Thanks for the chance to win, too. Keep up the good work.
Shirley Lee
Roseville, CA
- July 13, 2009 at 9:14 AM
- Unknown said...
Only one stamp set hey!!! Well then it would have to be Lower Case Art because the text can be used in so many ways eg. stamped onto chipboard, flowers, paper, acetate, grunge paper/board and the list goes on. I find the text stamps to be the most used stamps I own. But in saying that Wendy all your new sets are fantastic!!!
Michelle M
- July 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM
- Sharon said...
Has to be Alphabetically Art...I love the background with the small flowers...that's so cool(and I got it at Carson...and some others). Loved the make n' takes I took with both you and Tim...I'm exhausted(bet so are you!!!). Can't wait for your book to come out. Take care.
- July 13, 2009 at 1:15 PM
- susan said...
I'm enjoying all of the new designs you posted and it's difficult to choose, BUT we can ONLY pick ONE, so I'll choose Alphabetically Art LCS017.
Since I am new to your style, I have absolutely fallen in love with your flowers and I thought this set would be a great place to start my collection.
I would have all of the basic components for a flower and some great background, too. Plus, I love the saying "LIFE can be whatever you IMAGINE always dream BIG!
- July 13, 2009 at 2:28 PM
- Swedie said...
I like Make Mine Mini Art. With all the inchies that are being made, and handmade books and other small items, it's nice to see small stamps that can be used on them.
- July 13, 2009 at 4:51 PM
- mamakat said...
Well...I think that the sets are a lot like Lays Potato Chips: I can't pick just one! They are all beautiful and contain something I can't live with out but overall I suppose I will HAVE TO HAVE "It's More Flower Art" first. Unless of course I win a goodie bag containing all of them all at once and then I will just KNOW that I have died and gone to heaven!
- July 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM
- Paula said...
I choose Lowercase art, if I had to pick one and only one that is my fave.
- July 13, 2009 at 7:41 PM
- Diane said...
My favorite if I had to choose is "Make Mine Mini Art" however I know they will all make there way home to my scrap room!! Keep up the creativity!!! Diane
- July 13, 2009 at 9:58 PM
- Linda said...
If I HAD to pick just one, it would be the Alphabetically Art. I love the background stamp. Then I would also have to get the Card Art Essentials. The teo of them together would be all I need to make great cards!
- July 13, 2009 at 10:12 PM
- Randi said...
Love the new sets!! If I had to pick just one, it would be the Lower Case Art! Love the flowers and the print background!! Off to do some EP shopping! ;o)
- July 14, 2009 at 1:08 AM
- SuzZoom said...
It's difficult to decide. They are all wonderful. I really like the minis, however, I have to pick, as my absolute favorite the Lower Case Art. I LOVE those flowers and the newsprint background stamp is awesome. Hope you had fun in California and looking forward to the cruise.
- July 14, 2009 at 5:47 AM
- Olga-MIA said...
You know I need to have them all, because I LOVE THEM! But if I had to absolutely pick only one... Sorry, I can't. Therefore, I pick them all as one :)Technically they will all be one in one beautiful acrylic binder, decorated with lovely grunge board and papers and flowers, just like you showed me.
Thanks for all the inspiration! Hope to see you again soon. Best, Olga, MIAMI, FLORIDA
- July 14, 2009 at 6:32 AM
- Judy said...
My favorite is the Make MIne Mini Art LSC021. THey are very cute!
- July 14, 2009 at 7:59 AM


text:
|System: X360 (XBLA), PS3 (PSN), PC
|Review Rating Legend
|Dev: Wideload Games
|1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
|4.0 - 4.4 = Great
|Pub: D3 Publisher
|2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
|4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
|Release: May 13, 2009
|2.5 - 2.9 = Average
|5.0 = The Best
|Players: 2-8
|3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
|ESRB Rating: Teen
|3.5 - 3.9 = Good
Of course, cheating isnt quite that simple. Adding another level of entertainment and complexity into the competition, youll have to successfully complete a random mini-game every time you use a naughty ability. These range from playing hi or lo, rolling dice, and blackjack to button-mash racing, roulette, and strength testing. When you or an opponent is cheating, a red sign flashes over the offenders character portrait. Theres no other indication of exactly what cheats are being used, and adversaries wont know whats trouble theyre possibly in until theyre being directly affected by it. In player vs. player cheats, both the attacker and the defender will engage in a mini-game duel the winner pulls off a successful attack or defense accordingly.
The single-player Career mode consists of four card circuits that are each made up of four challenge matches. Winning a certain number of matches in the first batch will unlock the second match and so forth. Objectives in each challenge tend to fall along a handful of different goals, including accruing a certain amount of money, beating a specific player, beating every player at the table, and accruing the largest amount of money in a specific number of hands. This provides enough options to facilitate some lengthy and challenging solo sessions, and playing against up to seven other players in brutal cheat-riddled online matches is equally entertaining.
Gameplay-wise, Texas Cheat Em delivers, but the overall visual presentation is lacking. Progressing through the Career mode will unlock various background settings to play in. Unfortunately, these static images dont really mesh with the game visuals, and they come off as looking rather cheap. When youre not playing against other humans, the character avatars are static and uninteresting. The table itself and cards are functional, if not overly snazzy-looking.
Texas Cheat Em freshens up the classic card game with ample shenanigans that should sit well with casual card players or more experienced poker hounds. Incessant cheating across the board makes each hand fast-paced, unpredictable, and constantly changing. Its easy to get drawn into multiple hands of this quirky and playful take on poker, even if the game is still pretty niche.
Nathan Meunier
CCC Staff Contributor
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